Ristretto project #
RISTRETTO is an instrumental project to detect the reflected light of nearby exoplanets using the spectroscopic coronagraphy technique.
Once ready this instrument will be proposed as a visitor instrument for the ESO VLT facility.
In the first phase a single-mode high-resolution spectrograph with 7 spaxels will be built and tested on the Euler 1.2m telescope in La Silla with the KalAO adaptive optics system.
High-contrast imaging in the visible #
In order to achieve its goal, the instrument needs a XAO system in the visible giving at the same time the highest possible Strehl (to efficiently couple to the single-mode fibers that feed the spectrograph) and a high raw contrast in order to be able to detect the planet light. The average target value for the contrast is 10-4.
High-resolution spectrograph #
In order to achieve the required total contrast (in the 10-7 range) to detect the reflected light of the planet one will use a high-resolution spectrograph coupled to an integral-field unit in order to locate the planet. The additional gain in contrast is obtained thanks to the radial velocity difference between the planet and its host star.
Latest News #
- 2024-08-28 Starting of the spectro cryostat assembly
- 2024-05-30 2nd IFU prototype nearly spot-on!
- 2024-03-15 Starting of the test of the thermal enclosure after its completion
- 2023-11-06 PIAA-Prototype Manufacture
- 2023-09-21 Spectrograph Tank Delivery
- 2023-06-30 Nulling experiments with 3d printed IFU
- 2023-04-01 Starting the tests of the WFS camera
- 2022-12-20 Spectrograph Design Review
- 2022-06-29 PIAA Coronagraph
- 2022-01-01 3d printed IFU prototype
- 2021-06-20 First Nulling Results with simple ring coronograph
- 2021-05-20 A Ring Nulling Coronagraph
- 2021-04-20 Playing With Hexagonal MLA
- 2021-01-29 First Nulling Trials